Kiowa Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KYE-oh-wah /ˈkaɪ.oʊ.wə/
Origin: Native American; English
Meaning: Native American: 'to be a warrior'; English: 'from the Kiowa tribe'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Kiowa is derived from the name of a Native American tribe, the Kiowa, who are part of the Great Plains tribes. The etymology of the term 'Kiowa' is believed to trace back to the Kiowa language, which is part of the Tanoan language family.
The name itself is thought to mean 'principal' or 'main' in reference to the tribe's significance among the Plains tribes. The Kiowa people historically inhabited areas that are now part of Oklahoma and Texas, and their language and culture reflect a rich heritage that has persisted over centuries.
The Kiowa tribe has a storied history, with significant milestones including their involvement in the Plains Indian Wars during the 19th century. They were known for their skilled horsemanship and warrior culture, which played a crucial role in their interactions with European settlers and other tribes.
The Kiowa were also notable for their artistic contributions, particularly in the form of ledger art, which emerged in the late 19th century as a means of documenting their history and experiences. This art form has become an important aspect of their cultural identity and continues to be celebrated today.
Culturally, the Kiowa name carries connotations of strength, resilience, and a deep connection to the land. The tribe has maintained its traditions through various ceremonies and storytelling practices, which serve to preserve their history and values.
The Kiowa people have also been recognized for their contributions to American culture, particularly in the realms of art and literature. The name Kiowa, therefore, embodies not only the identity of the tribe but also a broader narrative of Native American heritage and endurance.
Famous people named Kiowa
In this section, you will find notable people named Kiowa. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Kiowa who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Kiowa who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Kiowa Gordon is an actor best known for The Twilight Saga: New Moon, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, and The Red Road.
Kiowa Rainwater is a musician best known for his work with the band The Black Angels.
Fictional characters named Kiowa
The following list of fictional characters named Kiowa is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Kiowa is a fictional character from the novel The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien. He is a soldier in the Vietnam War who struggles with the burdens of guilt and loss.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Kiowa, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Kiowa. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Kiowa was first seen in the United States in 1972.
Kiowa has ranked as high as #8413 nationally, which occurred in 1995, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Kiowa has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Kiowa is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Kiowa was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Kiowa.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2024 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2023 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2022 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 2021 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2020 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2019 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2018 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 2017 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 2016 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 2015 | 14 | 9 | 5 |
| 2014 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 2013 | 14 | 8 | 6 |
| 2012 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 2011 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2009 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 2008 | 13 | 7 | 6 |
| 2006 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2005 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2004 | 12 | 5 | 7 |
| 2003 | 12 | 5 | 7 |
| 2002 | 12 | 7 | 5 |
| 2001 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 2000 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1999 | 15 | 9 | 6 |
| 1998 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1997 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1996 | 17 | 12 | 5 |
| 1995 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 1994 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1993 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1992 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1988 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1986 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1983 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1972 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
Top States for Kiowa
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
No state data available for this year.